2008 Woodie Awards
Happy Chinese New Year
Jerrod Warr
Issue date: 1/31/07 Section: Life
|
While most of us may not have the opportunity to celebrate a 15-day New Year in China, many of us here in Pocatello on the evening of Jan. 26 had the chance to take a glimpse into this important Chinese holiday, thanks to the ISU Chinese Student Association (CSA) and Chinese Folk Dance Club (CFDC). From Kung Fu to Kung Pao, the 2007 Chinese Spring Festival had an array of culture for all who attended- and there were many. By the time everyone received their food, the Ballroom was packed tight with guests eager to experience a different way of life.
Before the festivities started, I had the opportunity to sit down with senior Kevin Cao, a Vice President in the CSA, and discuss some of his feelings about what the Chinese New Year meant to him.
Question: What's it like celebrating the Chinese New Year here in Idaho?
Cao: Pretty quiet. Most Chinese people that are here have to work during the holiday, so it can be pretty uneventful. We do get to gather together with friends and family and have a little celebration and a traditional meal, so that's nice. This event is a lot of fun too.
Question: What do you hope this New Year will bring for you?
Cao: Personally, I hope it brings something new and improved. I'm graduating soon with a business major and shortly after I'll be moving to New York City, so there's going to be a lot of changes. I've loved my time here in Idaho, but I'm excited for the New Year and the challenges it'll bring.
The Chinese New Year is definitely a time of challenges, at least traditionally speaking. According to legend and Chinese mythology, every year in the spring a man-eating beast called "Nian" would come attack the townspeople. In order to scare the monster away, the residents would decorate in red, light firecrackers, bang drums, and perform dances. Thus, another name for the Chinese New Year is "Guo Nian," meaning "the passing of the beast."
Those who attended the festival had the opportunity to see some of these traditional arts reenacted throughout the evening, including the Lion Dance, Chinese Waist Drums, and many others. For Natalie VanLeuven, a senior majoring in Organizational Communication, one of these dances was the highlight of her night.
"My favorite part of the program was the Lion Dance performed by the Kung Fu Club of West Jordan," Natalie said. "I have only previously seen this performance on television, so to experience it in person was great. It was [also] very nice to see the Chinese youth of Pocatello embracing their traditions and I can't wait to see them all again next year."
For more information on how you can join the CSA or the CFDC, visit www.caisu.net or contact Kevin Cao at caoyi@isu.edu. Registration is free, and there are no requirements for joining. The CSA currently has around 60 members, and they would love to have more. Even though you live in Pocatello, you can experience Chinese culture from those who are very much a part of it. And perhaps the next time the Nian comes creeping around, you'll be one of the people dancing it away for another year.
Be the first to comment on this story